Google Books

 

By Melissa Davis

When most people think go Google Books, we think of platform that allows you to purchase and download millions of titles. These would be available on your phone, tablet or computer. This offers a convenient way to bring multiple books and texts with you where you go.  When Google made a proposal that would allow them to monopolize on the digital book world, one Judge determined the price was too much to pay. 

In 2005 Google Books proposed an ambitious plan to scan and digitize every book ever written. This of course raised a few questions and concerns regarding copyright law and the ability to to take an authors work and make it available online without the authors consent. While some books are considered public domain and as such can be scaned and digitized legally, most writings are owned by the writers. Judge Denny Chin later dismissed the proposal and instead instructed Google Books to strike up deals with publishers and authors to gain the right to publish these items online. Judge Chin argued that allowing Google to complete this proposal it would be "virtual legal monopoly over the online book search". 

This agreement had the potential to make millions of books and texts available online that are otherwise unavailable for viewing or purchase. Unfortunately for Google, without an authors explicit consent, some of the items will remain hidden from readers. 

For more information about Google Books proposed plan, see the video below:

Works Cited:

“Http://Search.proquest.com/Docview/390411909/7a9d1fc6613d4043pq/2?Accountid=14214.” My Blog, The New York Times, 24 Feb. 2014, https://johnmatthews21.wordpress.com/2014/02/24/httpsearch-proquest-comdocview3904119097a9d1fc6613d4043pq2accountid14214/.